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9 former Saints players we'd like to have back in 2019

The New Orleans Saints didn’t have a history of great success before Sean Payton was hired back in 2006, but they’ve had plenty of great players in team history.

So let’s play a hypothetical: If you can bring back one former Saints player in the prime onto the 2019 squad, who would you go with? We put together a list of nine names we’d love to see get a second run with the team as it chases another Super Bowl title.

Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis, special teams returner

The Saints have made an effort to improve their return crew, but who’s better than the Beer Man?

The New Orleans local legend set a number of records for the Saints, peaking in 2002 with league-leading marks in return yardage on punts (625) and kickoffs (1,807) earning him recognition at the Pro Bowl and the first-team All-Pro list.

It’s mind-boggling to think of what he could accomplish in Payton’s offense, having never gotten many looks there in his career.

Joe Horn

Joe Horn, wide receiver

Michael Thomas needs a partner in the receiving corps, and few talents in Saints history are better-suited to stardom than Horn. And Thomas would relish the chance to play with him, having paid tribute with his iconic cellphone celebration after scoring a climactic touchdown catch.

Horn only played one season with Drew Brees, but turned 37 catches into an eye-popping 679 yards — that’s 18.4 yards per catch, which would have led the Saints last year by a sizable margin (ignoring Tommylee Lewis’ three catches for 60 yards).

Rickey Jackson(Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

Rickey Jackson, pass rusher

It’s time to turn our attention to the defense, and there’s only one name to start with: Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson.

The Dome Patrol’s leader would still be designated a linebacker in today’s NFL, but let’s be clear: he’ll thrive no matter where he lines up or what jersey number he wears. His 128 career sacks and 40 career forced fumbles are testament to that. Imagine unleashing him on the league.

Marques Colston(Photo: Matt Kartozian/USA Today Sports)

Marques Colston, wide receiver

You can’t have enough prolific receivers. Just picture it: Michael Thomas lined up at split end. Joe Horn in motion to the flanker spot. And Colston quietly waiting in the slot. That’s as great a wealth of talent as any offense has ever enjoyed, and Brees would do incredible things with such a trio of receivers.

Colston is the perfect fit for Brees’ current set of skills, which prioritize hitting big targets accurately in the 15-to-20-yard range.

Wayne Martin(Photo: Bill Haber)

Wayne Martin, defensive end

This one was a toss-up between Martin and Will Smith, but we went with the player with more sacks (82.5) and tackles (531).

Martin would be a perfect fit in the three-deep pass rush rotation the Saints plan to roll out in 2019, teaming up with Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport to make life hard on opposing quarterbacks. At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Martin fits the physical prototype New Orleans likes at the position, too.

Jimmy Graham(Photo: Bill Haber, AP)

Jimmy Graham, tight end

The Saints added Jared Cook this offseason, and his presence will probably be enough to revitalize the tight end position in New Orleans. But hear us out: Cook lined up on the line of scrimmage, and Graham moving all over the formation to put opponents in a bind.

The Saints never had a mismatch weapon quite like Graham before his arrival, and they haven’t replaced him since he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

LeCharles Bentley

LeCharles Bentley, center

Bentley’s career jumped off to a fast start back in the day, with the Ohio State Buckeyes alum earning Pro Bowl recognition in 2003 and 2005. But a catastrophic knee injury cut his playing days short and still troubles Bentley in the present, while he runs a successful offensive line training program.

In his prime, he’d be an outstanding fit in the middle of the Saints line and provide the perfect mentor for top draft pick Erik McCoy.

Jabari Greer(Photo: Mike McCarn/AP)

Jabari Greer, cornerback

New Orleans has a history of up-and-down cornerback play, but there’s plenty of bright spots (like Greer and Tracy Porter) against low moments (let’s try to forget Jason David, Corey White, Johnny Patrick, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, and Brandon Browner) in recent years. But Greer would be the guy to go with.

His 13 career interceptions, 96 total pass breakups, and cool head would be more than welcome in a fiery, young Saints secondary.

Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara(Photo: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport)

Mark Ingram, running back

Yeah, we’re still bitter about Ingram leaving in free agency. There’s an argument to be made for Deuce McAllister making this list over Ingram.

But Ingram was such a great complement to Alvin Kamara the last two years that there’s no question about whether reuniting them is the right move. And it sure would be nice to see Ingram return and set a new Saints record in career rushing yards (topping McAllister’s 6,096) someday.